When American Eagle tapped Sydney Sweeney for their 'Great Jeans/Great Genes' campaign, they probably expected buzz—not backlash. Instead, the internet lit up with accusations of dog-whistle messaging, political spin, and a full-on culture war over… jeans.

In this episode, I’m unpacking the PR playbook behind the chaos: what American Eagle got right, why Sydney Sweeney’s silence was strategic, and what this whole moment says about branding in a world where every ad can go viral for the wrong reasons.

Whether you’re a PR pro, brand strategist, or just here for the pop culture tea, this is one denim debate you won’t want to miss.